The inaugural edition of Sagarmanthan: The Ocean’s Dialogue, South Asia’s largest maritime thought leadership event, began in New Delhi on Monday. In a message marking the successful launch of this maritime event, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his hopes for the success of Sagarmanthan, emphasizing the importance of building global consensus for a prosperous future.
In his address, PM Modi said, “Our vision for a free, open and secure maritime network – be it the Indian Ocean or the Indo Pacific region – is finding resonance across the world. The ‘Indo Pacific Oceans Initiative’ envisions marine resources as a key pillar for growth for nations. This dialogue on oceans further strengthen the rules-based world order and enhance peace, trust and friendship between nations. As we strive to realise the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047, dialogues such as Sagarmanthan are invaluable to build consensus, partnerships and most importantly, a prosperous future. With the collective efforts of all stakeholders, I am confident that these discussions will resonate far and wide, paving the way toward a brighter, more connected future.”
PM also reflected on India’s deep maritime heritage, pointing to ancient port cities such as Lothal and Dholavira, the naval power of the Chola dynasty, and the maritime legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. He noted that oceans are central to both international trade and security. Over the last decade, India has taken significant strides to bolster its maritime capabilities, doubling port capacity and enhancing infrastructure through initiatives like Ports of Prosperity, which have improved logistics across expressways, railways, and riverine networks.
Sagarmanthan is a two day event organised by MoPSW in collaboration with Observer Research Foundation.
The inaugural session was addressed by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping (MoPSW) Sarbananda Sonowal; Minister of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy, Greece, Christos Stylianides; Minister of State for Fisheries and Ocean Resources, Maldives, Dr Amzath Ahmed the National Representative for the Province of Rio Negro, Argentina, Maria Lorena Villaverde; MoPSW Secretary, TK Ramachandran along with the President, Observer Research Foundation (ORF), Samir Saran with the session attended by representatives from 61 countries and hundreds of delegates from the maritime sector.
“The initiative brings together global policymakers, maritime experts, industry leaders, and scholars to deliberate on advancing sustainable and innovative maritime practices,” read a statement by the PSW ministry.
Addressing the inaugural session, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said, “India’s Maritime Vision 2047 is a roadmap to transform the maritime sector by fostering sustainability, enhancing connectivity, and leveraging technology. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi our ministry through initiatives like Sagarmala and the Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision is aiming at making India a leader in global maritime trade, achieving our goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047.”
“By 2047, India targets a port handling capacity of 10,000 million metric tons per annum, leveraging strategic trade routes through initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) and the International North-South Transport Corridor. Reviving its shipbuilding legacy, India is constructing the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal while advancing clean-fuel shipbuilding to meet future sustainability goals,” the minister said.
from National https://ift.tt/CqPz17E